Jiankang Liu
Institute of Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine Xi’an Jiaotong University

Mitochondria are the source and also target of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, mitochondrial dysfunction, including mitochondrial damage and loss as well as over-production of oxidants, has been suggested to be involved in aging and age-associated degenerative diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that targeting mitochondria to protect mitochondria from dysfunction as a unique measure could delay aging and prevent and ameliorate various diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, such as diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzhiemer’s disease. In this presentation, I will summarize our recent progress in nutritional studies to target mitochondria by regulating mitochondrial metabolism (biogenesis and mitophagy) to improve mitochondrial function and decrease oxidative stress. The in vitro and in vivo studies on the effects and mechanisms of mitochondrial targeting nutrients, especially their combinations, may help us to understand the importance and mechanisms of mitochondrial metabolism in aging and age-associated diseases, and provide hope for developing mitochondria-targeting agents for delaying aging and preventing and treating age-associated disease.